Activity of masseter and temporal muscles in relation to the myofunctional characteristics of chewing and swallowing functions in obese

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to relate the electrical activity of the masseter and temporal muscles to the myofunctional characteristics of chewing and swallowing function in children and adolescents. Methods: We selected 28 obese participants in the Obesity Clinic of the HUSM, being the myofunctional characteristics collected through the Assessment Protocol Myofunctional with scores (AMIOFE) and electromyography of masseter and temporal muscles during chewing and swallowing. The EMG data were normalized using the mean of maximal intercuspation of each muscle studied in the assessments. Results: The majority of the masticatory obese was bilateral and the average electrical activity of muscles tested was superior to that used in preference to unilateral mastication except the left temporal muscle. During swallowing, the electrical activity of masseter and temporal muscles showed no signifi cant difference in relation to myofunctional characteristics. Conclusion: It is evident that regardless of myofunctional characteristics of obese children and adolescents, during chewing and swallowing exists similarity in the activation of the masseter and temporal muscles.